From: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org (good-noise-digest) To: good-noise-digest@smoe.org Subject: good-noise-digest V4 #88 Reply-To: good-noise@smoe.org Sender: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk good-noise-digest Tuesday, May 1 2001 Volume 04 : Number 088 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind [Smithfinn@aol.com] Re: Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind [Togg4@gateway.net] Re: Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind [SESpeirs@aol.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 12:17:57 EDT From: Smithfinn@aol.com Subject: Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind We just received this submission for the Gorka encounters section of the fan site and with the permission of the author, I thought I would share it with everyone as it is a nice story. This was emailed to us by the very talented Hugh Blumenfeld. Susan *** I've had the pleasure of knowing John since the early 80s back in Greenwich Village - Fast Folk Musical Magazine, Speak Easy Musicians Cooperative, Cornelia Street Songwriters Exchange. John just kept writing these songs filled with wisdom and whimsy. Here's some clarification/embellishment of the story John included in the liner notes to the song "Heroes" on his last album. I learned "Heroes" from John in Kerrville - I think it was 1987. He was camped next to my wife Andrea and me in an enclave that had been dubbed "Little New York." I forget when we first heard the song, whether it was there or earlier in NYC, but it was at Andrea's request that I learned it. The song was brand new and we both loved it as soon as we heard it, but Andrea was the one who wanted to sing it. So, one bright midmorning when things in the campgrounds are lazy and slow, John passed over his notebook and I copied out the words. Soon afterwards, the notebook - along with his guitar - was stolen from his car and never recovered. Andrea and I sang it at home from time to time during the next ten years - our own private little treasure. It never occurred to either of us to ask John about it, until I opened for him at Godfreys in 1997. It was only then I learned that the song had been lost in the notebook and that he'd forgotten it long ago. So I was able to play it for him downstairs in the dressing room before the gig and write him out a copy of his own lyric. But Andrea deserves all the credit. Hugh Blumenfeld http://www.hughblumenfeld.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 13:19:13 EDT From: Togg4@gateway.net Subject: Re: Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind Susan, Thanks for the story. I can't stand the fact that John had his guitar and notebook stolen! Is nothing sacred anymore? I hope he copies his work into the computer and then does a backup now. Gina ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 14:18:54 EDT From: SESpeirs@aol.com Subject: Re: Close Encounters of a Gorka Kind Thanks for sharing the story with us, Susan. After reading it I can't help but wonder what I would say if I found myself camping next the Gorka........ Anybody care to try? Shirley ------------------------------ End of good-noise-digest V4 #88 *******************************